Once the protective measures were in place, Chen Xiao discussed the water conservancy project with Zheng Hanying and Zhao Cheyu.
The atmosphere inside the council chamber was heavy and solemn.
Chen Xiao spoke first: "I came here today to witness firsthand the dire situation of Xunyang's water conservancy. It concerns the well-being of the people and cannot be underestimated. Zhao Cheyu, please tell me about the water conservancy issue in detail."
Zhao Cheyu stepped forward and respectfully replied, “Your Majesty, Xunyang is located in a strategic area, but its water conservancy facilities have been neglected for many years. The river channels are silted up, and every rainy season, floods occur, submerging much of the surrounding farmland and causing great suffering to the people. Moreover, the irrigation canals are also damaged, making it difficult to draw water to irrigate the fields during the dry season, resulting in poor harvests.”
Zheng Hanying echoed, "Your Majesty, I have a deep understanding of this issue from my time serving in Xunyang. Although there have been minor repairs in the past, they have not been able to completely solve the problem. If we want to develop water conservancy on a large scale, we need to make overall plans and properly allocate manpower, material resources, and financial resources."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly: "I know this matter will not be easy. But my mind is made up, and I am determined to give Xunyang's water conservancy a complete makeover. I intend to first clear the silt from the riverbed, widen the river channel, and enhance the flood discharge capacity. Then, I will rebuild the irrigation ditches to ensure that farmland is free from drought and flood."
After a moment's thought, Zhao Cheyu advised, "Your Majesty is wise. However, the project is massive and requires the mobilization of laborers from the surrounding areas. I suggest that we recruit displaced people, which would not only solve the urgent need for manpower for the project but also provide them with a livelihood. Furthermore, the procurement of materials should be strictly supervised to prevent corruption."
Zheng Hanying continued, "Your Majesty, the local gentry of Xunyang may be persuaded to donate funds. This would alleviate the financial pressure on the court. At the same time, during the construction period, special personnel should be assigned to supervise the progress and quality of the project to ensure that the water conservancy project is sturdy and durable."
Chen Xiao's gaze was firm: "Good. This matter concerns the fate of the nation, so it must be handled properly. I will issue an edict ordering the Ministry of Revenue to allocate special funds and for all regions to coordinate the supply of materials. Zhao Cheyu, you will lead the capable people of the Water Conservancy Bureau to oversee the project. Prefect Zheng will be responsible for coordinating local affairs, appeasing the people, and ensuring the smooth progress of the project."
The two men answered in unison, "We will do our utmost to live up to Your Majesty's trust."
Subsequently, the Xunyang Water Conservancy Project commenced.
Zhao Cheyu personally went to survey the river channel and drew up detailed construction drawings.
Zheng Hanying posted notices in the city to recruit refugees and organized a meeting for gentry to donate funds.
With concerted efforts from all parties, the project is progressing in an orderly manner.
Chen Xiao also kept a close eye on the project's progress, showing his concern for the people of Xunyang.
Thanks to the efforts of everyone over the past month, the Xunyang water conservancy project is gradually taking shape and is expected to completely solve the long-standing problems of flooding and irrigation, laying a solid foundation for the prosperity and stability of Xunyang.
On the day the water conservancy project was completed, the people of Xunyang lined the streets to cheer, with gongs and drums resounding and colorful flags fluttering in the wind.
From then on, the lifestyle of Xunyang was completely transformed.
Chen Xiao knew she shouldn't stay there any longer, so on the day the project was completed, she gave some instructions to Zheng Hanying and Zheng Pianran, and then led Zhao Cheyu and the others on their journey back to the capital.
What no one knew was that after they left, Xunyang improved day by day, thanks to the water conservancy project, which greatly improved all aspects of life.
One month later, Xunyang.
In the farmland, clear irrigation water flows gently, nourishing every inch of the land.
The once dry and barren field ridges are now covered with lush and thriving crops.
The rice stalks swayed gently in the breeze, their plump grains gleaming with the hope of a bountiful harvest.
Farmers moved about among the trees, their faces beaming with simple, happy smiles, no longer needing to worry about the unpredictable droughts and floods.
They work from sunrise to sunset, carefully tending their crops, anticipating an unprecedented bumper harvest this year, filling their granaries, and leading a prosperous and peaceful life.
In towns, improved water conservancy led to commercial prosperity.
At the dock, ships come and go frequently, and goods from all over the world converge here.
The reputation of being a land of fish and rice attracted merchants from all directions, and grains, aquatic products, handicrafts and other goods were continuously transported to various places.
The market was bustling with people, and the cries of vendors rose and fell.
People's wallets are getting fuller, new houses are being built one after another, and children are able to wear new clothes and go to school to learn to read and write.
The floods no longer wreak havoc, people live in peace and contentment, and their cultural and entertainment lives are becoming increasingly rich.
In teahouses, people gather together, sipping fragrant tea while discussing this year's good harvest and national policies; in theaters, wonderful operas are often performed, and the audience is completely absorbed.
Moreover, thanks to the success of the water conservancy project, Xunyang has attracted more talents to settle down.
Skilled craftsmen brought their exquisite techniques, further promoting the development of local handicrafts; literati were also attracted by the beautiful scenery and prosperity of the place, leaving behind many poems and songs praising Xunyang, which made Xunyang's cultural heritage even more profound.
Thanks to the water conservancy project, the entire Xunyang area is now a prosperous place with harmonious governance and thriving industries.
The people were grateful to the court and full of hope and confidence for the future. Chen Xiao's prestige also reached new heights in the hearts of the people, and he became a wise and virtuous monarch praised by everyone.
With a more stable and prosperous life, education in Xunyang has also flourished.
The newly built school is filled with the sound of students reciting classics and studying arithmetic in its bright and spacious classrooms.
Attracted by the prosperity of this place, many learned people came to teach, spreading the seeds of knowledge even further.
Nourished by knowledge, the younger generation in Xunyang has broadened their horizons. Some of them are determined to pass the imperial examinations and serve their hometown and the imperial court; others are studying agriculture, water conservancy, industry and commerce, hoping to further promote the prosperity of their hometown.
In terms of healthcare, as people's living conditions improve, they are paying more and more attention to their health.
Some traveling doctors settled here, opened clinics, and taught health preservation and medical knowledge.
Diseases that were previously unable to be treated in time due to poverty and lack of medical resources can now be properly diagnosed and treated.
Common plagues and epidemics have been effectively controlled due to improved water conservancy, a better environment, and improved medical standards. The population has steadily increased and life expectancy has gradually increased.
The connection between rural and urban areas has become closer, and roads have been continuously repaired and widened to meet the needs of trade.
The villagers can easily transport their agricultural products and handicrafts to the town for sale, and at the same time, they can bring back the daily necessities and production tools they need from the town.
This exchange has promoted cultural integration and innovation, with rural folk culture blending with urban fashion elements to create unique Xunyang regional cultural characteristics, such as unique song and dance performances and festival customs, attracting tourists from other places to come and experience them.
In addition, the stable environment brought about by the water conservancy project has greatly improved the public security situation in Xunyang.
People have no worries about food and clothing, live in peace and contentment, and the crime rate has dropped significantly.
The government could devote more energy to maintaining social order and ensuring the safety of the people, organizing militias for training and patrols to ensure that Xunyang, this happy land, remained harmonious and stable, allowing the people to live and thrive on this land with peace of mind, pursue their dreams, and continue to write the glorious chapter of Xunyang.
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